Ohio State should save the sycamore

Tuesday

Mar 30, 2010 at 12:01 AMMar 30, 2010 at 10:10 AM

There are several historic American sycamore trees in the path of a temporary road extension from John H. Herrick Drive to Neil Avenue, to support expansion of the Ohio State University Medical Center campus. The sycamores in immediate danger of this plan are prominent figures in the stark landscape surrounding the hospitals and research buildings.

There are several historic American sycamore trees in the path of a temporary road extension from John H. Herrick Drive to Neil Avenue, to support expansion of the Ohio State University Medical Center campus. The sycamores in immediate danger of this plan are prominent figures in the stark landscape surrounding the hospitals and research buildings.

The lone sycamore appears directly behind a historical marker that signifies its importance in location to a former site within the Underground Railroad. Its exfoliated bark makes this tree unique, in addition to its towering stature. Its ability to serve as a miraculous shade tree should be preserved and enjoyed for generations to come. There are other obvious direct paths that a new road could take that would spare these trees and have much less impact on university land and research buildings.

With a diameter of 4.775 feet, this American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is estimated to be 200 years old or older. In fact, aerial photography of the campus in 1904 clearly shows the presence of mature sycamore trees along the stream that once went through the South Oval and Mirror Lake.

This tree was here long before OSU was established in 1870 and possibly has been here since the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, as seen on a plaque near Hopkins Hall commemorating another historically significant American sycamore.

OSU has taken many strides to promote recycling on campus, in addition to reusing materials during the Thompson Library renovation and the construction of the new Ohio Union. Why can university officials not spare these trees to better the university community? After all, OSU was founded as a land-grant university specializing in Ohio agriculture. It is our responsibility to be caretakers and preserve these historic roots of our university.

LAUREN TILLEY

Columbus

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